Catalan nationalist party CiU and the Partido Popular reached an agreement yesterday for approving the 2012 Catalan budget proposal.
Except for details concerning the extraordinary number of cuts, it seems like both parties are on the same page at a time when the national government and Catalan government should adopt cutbacks.
Despite a majority vote from the PP, it is nevertheless important that the measures that this country needs excite a consensus, especially when reforms are demanding critical sacrifices and demanding collaboration from regional governments.
For now, Spain is accepting the fact that cutbacks are necessary. Polls of the PP and CiU election results both demonstrate that this is true. But both the external appearance and internal substance of these pacts could strengthen Spain's austerity and credibility. Both would be welcome.